White House denies Trump’s support for Machado was tied to Nobel Peace Prize

WASHINGTON, DC: The White House denied reports suggesting that Maria Corina Machado’s Nobel Peace Prize influenced President Donald Trump’s decision not to back her for Venezuela’s presidency.

On Saturday, January 4, Trump dismissed the idea of endorsing Machado, whose stand-in candidate, Edmundo González, captured more than two-thirds of the vote in last year’s election, while Nicolás Maduro refused to step down.

“It’d be very tough for her to be the leader,” Trump said, adding that she “doesn’t have the support or the respect within the country.”

What did Karoline Leavitt report about claims regarding Trump?

The White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt clarified the matter during a recent press briefing.

Leavitt began, “President Trump is routinely briefed on domestic political dynamics all over the world."

"The President and his national security team are making realistic decisions to finally ensure Venezuela aligns with the interests of the United States, and becomes a better country for the Venezuelan people,” she said.

For context, two sources close to the White House told that Trump’s disinterest in supporting Machado stemmed from her decision to accept the Nobel Peace Prize, an award he has long coveted.

One source said, ‘If she had turned it down and said, ‘I can’t accept it because it’s Donald Trump’s,’ she’d be the president of Venezuela today.’”

Does the US have a strategy to run Venezuela?

Senator Richard Blumenthal questioned on Monday, January 5 whether the Trump administration has any coherent strategy to manage Venezuela.

“The United States seemingly has no strategy, no endgame, no plan, not even more than day to day, maybe hour by hour,” Blumenthal told reporters on Capitol Hill. “It's making up this stuff as it goes along. And the American people, I think, are going to be more and more disquieted and dismayed by this massive armada and force of men, women in uniform, put in harm's way, potentially not only boots on the ground, but lives at risk in the air and on the sea."

The senator called on Republicans to 'show some backbone and stand up to Donald Trump.'

Blumenthal also challenged Trump’s motives for capturing Nicolas Maduro, suggesting the military operation primarily served the interests of Trump allies and oil executives.

“Congressional approval should have been sought under the Constitution, as it must be whenever America's men and women in uniform are put in harm's way during an act of war,” he said. “And clearly invasion of a sovereign country is an act of war that requires congressional approval."

He concluded, "Now, going forward, I think Congress has to show some spine and backbone, specifically my Republican colleagues when the vote on the War Powers Resolution occurs and Americans are going to be watching for whether they stand up for constitutional authority, that is not just an opportunity. It's an obligation on the part of Congress."